Australian FROM DRIED FRUITS NEWS
Official Journal of THE The Australian Dried Fruits Association Inc. CHAIRMAN Volume NS 15 Number 3:
Fellow Growers, February, 1988. Prospects for sultana growers this year are looking good. Well they were when this article CONTENTS: was written, but as experienced growers know, there is sometimes a great difference between a From the Chairman ...... Page 2 crops potential and the final achievement. Export Report ...... Page 3 Strong marketing propects exist for a large In The News ...... Pages 4·6 crop of high quality fruit. Industry Statistics . . . Page 7 A week from harvest the crop is potentially Chemical Residues and above average although unlikely to fulfil its spring Drying Greens . . . . Page 7 promise of a near record. The A.D.F.A. Executive Page 8 Erratic spring weather followed by extreme heat during December and January has made great Dried Fruit Research Page 9 demands on the vines ability to maximise the crop. Wage Rates ...... Pages 1 0·11 The pre-harvest estimate for sultanas is around 70,000 tonnes. We produced 57,00 tonnes in Compaction of DVF ...... Page 1 2 1987. Drying of Carina Grapes Page 1 3 The currant crop is a moderate one of good quality fruit. Western Australia report some losses Trellis Drying of Sultanas . .. . . Page 14 from severe heat since Christmas. An average yield around 5,500 tonnes is the estimate at the start Recipes . . . Pages 1 8-1 9 of harvest. Both gordo and waltham crops are reported to be light. It seems likely that the industry's stocks of raisins will be reduced in the year ahead, but a full supply to all established markets is assured. The short crop of sultanas-raisins in the Northern Hemisphere in 1987 is starting to show some effect on international prices. Turkey has recently firmed prices for sultanas from a very low base , having already committed 60,000 tonnes from a 95,000 tonne crop. While tn-:fe are no shortages of any fruit type or quality at this time it seems likely that supplies of BOARD OF MANAGEMEN T: high quality fruit will become tight before the next Northern Hemisphere crop is produced next September-October. Grower Members: Any significant crop loss in the Northern Hemisphere during their growing season would create HENRY TANKARD. Nichols Point , Vic .. some excitement in the market place. Good export market returns for sultanas and currants seem Chairman. assured for this season. BOB BLIZARD, B1ndoon, W.A. While we are about to enter the fourth year of recovery from the disastrous returns of the early VIN BYRNES. Coomealla, N.S. W. 1980's the longer term provides plenty of challenges. VIC DOLENEC, Red Cliffs. Vic. The world's producing nations can still grow, when good seasons occur in most countries, far PETER MaciNTOSH, Rob1nvale, V1c. more than is consumed in a year. The susceptibility of grapes to loss and damage by the elements will KEVIN DUN STONE, Barmera, S.A. provide periodic adjustment to world stocks, and is the guarantee that world prices will continue to COLIN ROY , Renmark. S.A. fluctuate in the future. The present balance of supply ·to demand is not forever. The flow of fruit into Australia has increased with Turkey now the dominant supplier of imported sultanas. Packer Members: Imports in the first 9 months of this marketing year at 3,480 tonnes of dried vine fruits have BOB HORSBURGH . already passed the full year total for 1987. MICHAEL LUCEY. Greek currants have continued to enter Australia with around 600 tonnes arriving in 9 months. The Australian Customs Service has recently advised that it is considering recommending that the countervailing duty applying to the export of Greek dried vine fruit to Australia be removed. Agents' Representatives: The A.D.F.A. will vigorously contest this proposal as the subsidies to Greek producers, pro ANDREW ADES, A.D.F. S. cessors and storage agencies remain in the place and allow unfair trading of this fruit in Australia. MICHAEL RYAN, A.F.C.O. Statutory Equalization as amended by the Federal Government will produce very different adjust ment messages for each variety in the same season and for the same variety from one season to the GENERAL MANAGER: next, depending on the volumes sold in Australia and to export markets. IAN THORN. These erratic distortions have been detailed to the Minister for Primary Industries and Energy, Mr. Kerin. The industry's case for further amendments to modify the unnecessarily harsh and unpredictable EDITOR: effects of the Government's chosen adjustment recipe (especially for currant and raisin growers) has ROSS SKINNER. so far been rejected by the Minister. These combined factors and a few more not mentioned, create uncertainty for the long term and should be considered when making investment decisions in this industry. HEAD OFFICE: Tree fruit growers have not escaped the rigours of the elements. Severe heat in December made 3 1 Deakin Avenue, Mildura. life difficult for apricot growers. The final crop will be marginally below season 1987. P.O. Box 1142, Mildura, 3500. Marketing prospects for this variety are strong - Telephone (0 50) 23 517 4. Prune growers report losses from the effects of heat and a low national production is forecast. Strong interest in the marketing of fresh sugar plums has also reduced the volume dried. Wholly set up and printed at With harvest of dried fruits wet: underway, may your best efforts be rewarded with a high quality Sunraysia Daily, crop. 22 Deakin Avenue, Mildura. Henry Tankard, Chairman, A.D.F.A. Board of Management. 2- February, 1988 DRIED FRUITS NEWS H ')1.-~ i \\. \. .'!..1 V"· "'"" u.. ERNEST W. BARR, 0 (' .... ~--·~ ~ CHAIRMAN EXPORT REPORT AUSTRALIAN DRIED FRUITS CORPORATION Z •noo "'~ 0 REVIEW OF EXPORT SALES ~ '- ll- r c. ·I...... ~ Sales of 1986 Season fruit have been corr :>(;ted for many months but:~!~ destination of exports will be of interest- 0 Country of Sultanas Currants MiJJS£lN _ E!ffm.JUttf Exports by Country - Tonnes Destination Tonnes Tonnes Tonnes ~,.;ountry of Sultanas Currants Raisins Antigua ...... •. 19 2 Destination Tonnes Tonnes Tonnes Austria ...... •...... 203 Canada ...... 8,000 300 90 Bahrain ...... 6 1 New Zealand ...... 3,850 600 190 Barbados ...... 321 45 Japan ...... 1,500 60 40 569 Belgium ...... India ...... 40 Brunei ...... 5 United Kingdom 11 ,268 645 271 Canada East ...... and Ireland ...... 4,500 590 4,241 299 59 Canada West ...... •.. F.R. Germany ...... 13,270 17 Denmark ...... • . France ...... 660 Fiji ...... •...... 153 6 Norway/Sweden ...... 450 France ...... 1,396 Other Europe ...... 900 F.R. Germany ...... 19,351 2 Other Markets ...... • . . 1,610 50 450 Great Britain . . . . • ...... 3,885 827 Taiwan ...... 520 Grenada ...... • ...... 14 9 Guyana ...... 17 TOTAL ...... 35,300 1,010 1,360 Hong Kong ...... 66 Indonesia ...... •...... 226 4 Stock at 29 February, 1988 of 1987 Sultanas and Currants will be India ...... • 2,214 minimal and only sufficient to service the Australian Market until the 1988 Israel ...... 50 crop is available for sale. However, stock of raisins is estimated at around Italy ...... 70 3,000 tonnes and every effort is being made to increase sales of raisins. Jamaica ...... • 234 10 Japan ...... 2,074 J 121 330 United Kingdom Kenya ...... 3 Unfortunately Australia has been losing market share for some time in Kuwait ...... • ...... 36 the United Kingdom (refer Table A). The reasons for loss of market share Malaysia ...... •...... 674 58 are complex and all efforts to date to reverse the trend have failed. Mauritius ...... 25 5 During 1987, the Corporation engaged an independent market Malta ...... 106 20 research consultant located in London. The brief given to the consultant New Caledonia ...... 13 1 was:- Netherlands ...... 350 Provide a statement of the problems (reasons) resulting in Northern Ireland ...... • 244 Australia's low market share of the United Kingdom dried sultana Norway ...... 788 (raisin) market. New Zealand ...... 6,347 1 '115 505 Provide recommendations of what steps should be taken by Oman ...... 14 3 2 Australia to increase market share (target 15·25%). The recom· P.N.G...... 20 4 mendations should address product, agency arrangements, Portugal ...... •. . . 467 price, promotion and any other facets considered relevant by Saudi Arabia ...... 17 the consultant. Singapore ...... 426 54 The Corporation has since received the consultant's report and in 19 Sri Lanka . ....•...... 287 4 general has accepted his recommendations. St. Lucia ...... 3 1 The Corporation/Industry has set an export target of at least 7,500 St. Vincent ...... • . . . .• 14 3 tonnes of sultanas by 1990. Sweden ...... 206 Comprehensive marketing plans are currently being prepared and Switzerland ...... 100 new marketing initiatives will be introduced from 1988 Season onwards. Tahiti ...... 2 A major change already made by the Corporation is the approval of Trinidad ...... 272 78 Australian Dried Fruits (Europe) Ltd., to be the sole agent for Great Britain Taiwan ...... 1,095 commencing 1 988 Season. United Arab Emirates ...... 60 The Corporation is extremely hopeful that a new approach to the WFP - Philippines ...... 95 United Kingdom Market will increase the Australian market share. WFP - Sri Lanka ...... 62 TOTAL ...... 58,217 2,465 2,041 TABLE A Sales of 1987 Season fruit have progressed extremely well and it is United Kingdom Imports of Sultanas and Raisins: estimated that about 35,300 tonnes of sultanas, 1 ,010 currants and 1,360 raisins, will be exported. Major 1987 Countries 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 Jan-Oct Australia ...... 12438 20% 3406 6% 7780 11 % 6699 9% 5000 7% 6915 9% 4737 6% 3774 5% U.S.A ...... • . 7327 12% 3391 6% 2091 3% 2673 4% 5440 7% 8083 10% 13307 17 % 14537 21% South Africa ...... 8948 14% 7021 12% 6404 9% 7034 10% 8768 12% 7990 10% 5622 7% 2751 4% Turkey ...... 11170 18% 17612 29% 18134 26% 12510 18% 9097 12% 974912% 13963 18% 15506 22% Greece ...... 16945 27% 15857 26% 1981729% 24496 35% 37392 50% 3312443% 31907 40% 24097 36% Afghanistan ...... 3154 5% 8516 14% 12833 19% 15208 22% 811811% 11698 15% 77 45 1 0% 4306 6% SUB TOTAL ...... 59982 96% 55803 93% 67059 97% 68620 98% 73815 99% 77559 99% 77281 98% 64971 94% TOTAL WORLD . ... . 62444 100% 60336 100% 69206 100% 70090 100% 74321 100% 79193 100% 79375 100% 69209 100% NOTE: Australian market share is calculated by Australian imports divided by World imports multiplied by 1 00. e.g. Australian market share in 1987 is 5% of U.K. market. DRIED FRUITS NEWS February, 1988-3 IN THE NEWS • • • Victorian & Murray Valley 3. Forklift Loading. $2.50/Tonne (increase of New DFRC Government $0.25) Vine Improvement Ass. Inc. (87% Grower- 12.5% Carrier) Members A record number of cuttings were sold in 4 . Empty return Bins $0.94.2. Mrs. Robyn Beetham has taken the piace of 1987. They comprised 7 81 . 922 rootstocks and Growers are urged to ensure that bins for col Mr. Keith Hyde on the DFRC as the Government 649,754 scions making a total of 1,431,676, lection are placed in an accessible situation, to member appointed by the Minister for Primary In an increase of 25% on 1986. eliminate the problems sometimes encountered dustries and Energy. Mr. Hyde has been ap Of the rootstocks the most popular is still due to limited areas in which forks and trucks are pointed to the Special Crops Research Council. Ramsey with 394,000 sold followed by expected to operate. Mrs. Beetham holds a degree embracing Schwarzman 129,000 and Teleki 66,000. Complaints About Farm studies in both economics and political science. In the cooler climates Kober 5BB, 46,000, She is currently Principal Executive Officer Richter, 99, 45,000 and 5.0.4. 26,000 were Machinery Dealt With and head of the Industry Assistance Section of most in demand we were unable to supply de Nineteen farmers had filed complaints with the the Policy Development Division, Department of mand for 304. Requirements for Dog Ridge are Victorian Agricultural Equipment Liaison Com· Primary Industries and Energy, a position she continuing to increase after being little in de mittee in 1 986, and 1 0 complaints had been has held since November 1984. mand a few years ago. satisfactorily resolved, the Chief General In this position she is responsible for the pro Of the scions, Sultanas at 332,094, a rise of Manager of the Department of Agricultural and vision of policy advice to the Minister and other 41%, are still the most popular. Rural Affairs, Mr Jeff Wright. claimed recently. Commonwealth Departments on a wide range of Sales of the other drying varieties, Gordos. Negotiations concerning a further three com· issues affecting the agricultural and resources industries. She has been involved in work on Currants and Carinas are starting to increase plaints were proceeding, he said commenting on again this year. farm and fishing industry costs, taxation reform, the release of the sixth annual report of the com anti-dumping policy, budget proposals, the re For table grapes, Flame Seedless at 73,000 mittee. lead again, followed by Emperor, 21,000 while cent review by the Australian Bureau of Agri The committee is independently chaired by Mr Cardinal and Fresno 32-68 sales are down. cultural and Resource Economics of the effects Bill Brown, Manager of the department's Agri Orders for new varieties such as M.S. 23-7, of agricultural marketing arrangements on food cultural Engineering Centre. The Victorian processing and various industry assistance and Loose Perlette greatly exceeded supply but Farmers' Federation, the Tractor and Machinery A.M. B.'s for these varieties have been establisl} issues. She is currently participating in the major Association and the Farm Machinery Dealers' primary industry development review being con ed and supply should catch up with demand in Association each provide an executive member the near future. ducted within her Department. of staff to work as a member of the committee. As a result of her wide ranging experience, In wine grapes all Chardonnay cuttings were When a complaint is received, the VFF member sold and there is a strong demand for this variety Mrs. Beetham has a sound knowledge of the negotiates on behalf of the farmer who brought major issues facing the rural sector. She has been in both warm and cool areas. Cabernet the complaint. If needed, the full committee Sauvignon, Pinot Noir and Merlo! all showed in appointed to the Council on the basis of her per becomes involved. creased sales in cooler districts but there is little sonal qualities and expertise. The committee provides a unique opportunity demand for Shiraz and Riesling. Prior to joining the Department of Primary In to farmers to resolve problems with farm equip· dustries and Energy, Mrs. Beetham held posi This year, Registered Multiplication Blocks of ment outside the formal legal system. Merlo!, Chardonnay, Russian Seedless. M.S. tions in both the Commonwealth Treasury and Reviewing the committee's activities. Mr 23-7, Fresno 27-31 , Pinot Noir, (various Department of Finance. Wright said that three complaints were closed by As a Senior Research Officer, Mrs. Beetham's clones) and Cabernet Sauvignon have been the committee this year when , after careful con work in Treasury encompassed policy advice established for various parts of the State to meet sideration of the information provided by the and administrative responsibilities in relation to future grower requirements. farmers and discussion with the dealers and various aspects of the financial sector. She was manufacturers, the committee could not find Be Careful with Tractors at also closely involved in the preparation of reasonable grounds for the complaints. Treasury submissions to the Campbell Com Harvest "In another case the farmer did not agree with mittee of Inquiry into the Australian Financial The Victorian Department of Labour claims that the resolution proposed by the committee," Mr System and various sectoral financing issues. Wright said. " The remaining two complaints laps tractors kill or injure more farmers and members As a Finance Officer in the Rural Section of the ed because legal action was taken or inadequate of their families than any other piece of rural Department of Finance, Mrs. Beetham was in technical information provided.'' machinery. volved in various tasks associated with the If a complaint is not resolved to everyones Nine out of 1 0 people killed on farms die as a preparation_ of the Commonwealth Budget as it result of having had an accident on a tractor. satisfaction, the formal legal process can be related to the agricultural sector and with the ad followed. The major causes of accidents are tractors ministration of agricultural assistance programs. rolling or tipping over and most accidents occur Mr Wright said that the farm equipment in· on flat or only slightly sloping land. dustry had been rationalised through mergers of Diesel Fuel Rebate One of the most disturbing facts about tractor some trans-national companies, withdrawal from Many Dried Fruit Growers are not taking accidents is that one in every four of those killed the Australian market of others, and amalgama advantage of their entitlement to the Diesel Fuel are children under the age of 1 6 . tion or closure of local companies. Rebate. The Rebate, which varies monthly but is Many farmers have protected themselves by Dealerships in farm machinery were becoming usually approximately 20 cents/litre is available fitting rollover protection to their equipment but larger businesses, but fewer in number. These to all primary producers irrespective of the many farmers have still not heeded the warn changes were the result of great economic pres amount of fuel used. ings. sures on the equipment industry. Despite these The Customs Department who administer the pressures the committee had found within the in· Rebate do request that applications are not 1988 Carting and Forklift dustry a real willingness to resolve problems. made more than quarterly for amounts less than Loading Rates for Dried Vine The 19 complaints received referred to 1 0 .2000 litres. tractors and a wide range of general farm equip It is important that original invoices or delivery Fruit ment. Fourteen manufacturers were involved in dockets are attached to the applications. A meeting of the Cartage and Loading Sub· the 1986-87 complaints. Growers can apply for the Rebate by complet Committee held on December 16, 1987. has Contact can be made by writing to the Vic ing the initial application form available from your set the recommended rates shown below to be torian Agricultural Equipment Liaison Committee, local fuel distributors. used during the 1988 Dried Vine Fruit Season: Cl; Agricultural Engineering Centre. Princes For every thousand litres of diesel purchased 1. First Tonne Km. $5.55 (unchanged). Highway, Werribee, Vic .. 3030, phone (03) a rebate of approximately $200 is obtainable. 2. Each Additional Km. $0.33 (unchanged). 741 1300. That is worth the paperwork. 4-February, 1988 DRIED FRUITS NEWS IN THE NEWS WorkCare Investigation • • • The Sunraysia Growers' Advisory Group lists Sulphur Dioxide Levels The Victorian Parliament has set up a Joint in its policy statement that it exists to assist- Select Committee to review WorkCare. 1 . People wishing to buy into a horticultural pro Packers have been testing S
~~ 'J1n'-f SF,), l ~r -P-Jit t;Jiill unr~;steral t a:- 3evr iS~ .jwr •Ncf're ~ 1Jon'f blast ':fur fruit- , irs i U.K. , Ireland •• •••• • 0 •• ••••••• •••• 9 4,548 0 611 0 21 18 Continent ...... 0 15,517 0 103 184 1 1 Canada ••••••••••••• •••• •••• 0 •• 272 9,396 0 116 2 0 0 Japan ••••••••• 0 • •••••• •••••• •• 8 1,476 0 112 47 0 1 Other ...... 76 2,588 0 518 174 0 0 TOTAL ...... 5 ,509 59,737 2 15 5,372 1,574 120 73 Delivered ...... 3,949 46,301 193 4,183 1,574 101 73 Committed, undelivered •••• 0 • • •• • • 0. 1,560 13,436 22 11189 0 19 0 Uncommitted ••• • • •••••••• 0 •••••• 0 0 0 3,394 86 40 18 TOTAL A.D.F.A. PACK* ...... 5,509 59,737 215 8,766 1,580 160 91 *Includes carry-in. Chemical Residues- Taka Care on Drying Greens K. Leamon DARA Testing of soils under drying racks has shown that dust contamination of dried fruit from these areas may cause pesticide residue problems in dried vine fruit. Many drying greens with wooden racks have been regularly treated over the years with various pesticides such as DDT and Dieldrin to prevent white ant attack. Even if the areas have not been treated for some time it is still likely that enough residues exist in the soil to cause a problem. A fruit contamination problem is likely to be worse on cultivated or bare soil situations where harvest traffic causes dust. The dust carries the pesticide onto the dried fruit. Avoiding the problem can be diffi<-ult. Trellis ...... drying and bin dehydration is one way of avoid· ing the problem. If rack drying is used it is essential to keep dust down by some means. for example estab· lishing some form of ground cover like couch grass. Reducing traffic around racks and near fruit drying on ground sheets should also help. Some of these pesticides will remain in the soil for many years so growers need to be careful now. and in the future to avoid the risk of con· laminating their fruit. Detection of unacceptable pesticide levels in dried vine fruit will cause the grower severe financial penalties and make it 4. - impossible to sell Australian dried vine fruit in . .. some markets. _,.,...,.- · DRIED FRU ITS NEWS February, 1 988-7 THE ORGANISATION OF THE INDUSTRY The A.D .F .A. FEDERAL COUNCIL President: Edward Uoyd plus 43 Grower Delegates, 5 Packer Delegates and 3 Marketing Agent Delegates. BOARD OF MANAGEMENT Grower Members: Henry Tankard, Nichols Point, Vic., Chairman; Bob Blizard, Bindoon, W.A.; Vin Byrnes, Coomealla, N.S.W.; Vic Dolenec, Red Cliffs, Vic.; Peter Macintosh, Robinvale, Vic.; Kevin Dunstone, Barmera, S.A.; Colin Roy, Renmark, S.A. Packer Members: Bob Horsburgh, Michael Lucey. Agents Representatives: Andrew Ades, Michael Ryan. COMMITTEES Tree Fruits: Mr. H. M. Tankard (chairman), Messrs. A. Ades, W. Plush, A. Quirke, P. Sims, H. Swanbury, P. ' Thompson, D. Osgood, R. Curren, C. Roy. Prunes: Mr. H. M. Tankard (chairman), Messrs. K. J. Beecher, S. N. Brooke-Kelly, M. A. Berridge, L. Cormack, H. Delves, D. Granger, A. Hall, J. McGlinn, B. Greentree, A. Toscan. COUNCILS AND BRANCHES S.A. State Council: Messrs. B. Osmond (chairman). J. Green (secretary). Sunraysia District Council: Messrs. R. Arnold (chairman). W. Keir (secretary). Griffith District Council: Messrs. H. Delves (chairman). A. Toscan (secretary). Young District Council: Messrs. S. N. Brooke-Kelly (chairman). J. F. Walker (secretary). Branch Chairman Secretary Angaston A. R. Milway R. A. Nettlebeck Barmera R. K. P. Brooke J. M. Reed Berri A. Chapple A. J. Quinn Cadell D. G. W. Tiller R. M. Dixon Coomealla V. Littore H. C. L. Jones GoiGol H. W. Bailey B. Johnson Loxton T. Quirke B. Osmond Merbein J. Miller L. G. Bennett Mid-Murray B. K. Boulton J. Dickinson Mil dura J. R. Henshilwood Mrs. F. Lock Moo rook H. R. Swanbury J. c. Light Pomona I. W. Lyell W. J. Powell Red Cliffs G. Robertson J. Tieman Renmark P. G. Sims F. D. Rice Robinvale B. S. Handreck A. B. McKay Waikerie K. H. Andrew P. L. Thompson Western Australia R. Blizard L. Dundo 8-February, 1988 DRIED FRUITS NEWS DRIED FRUIT RESEARCH 1987/88 The Dried Fruits Research Council program for 1987/88 is set out below. The program is financed via the Dried Fruits Research Trust Fund by grower levies and matching contributions from the Commonwealth Government. The following codes have been used to identify the various organisations involved: Project Codes for Organisations Harvest/Post-Harvest DAW Department of Agriculture, Western Australia • DAV 29F The effect of trellis drying, harvesting, handling DAV Department of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Victoria and storage on processability of dried fruit ... 25,512 DAS Department of Agriculture, South Australia • DAV 30F Inhibition of browning in the production of dried DAN Department of Agriculture, New South Wales vine fruits ...... 9,052 DCV Department of Conservation, Forests and Lands, Victoria • CS 18F Control of browning in drying grapes ...... 17,510 CS Commonwealth Scientific and Industry Research • MCF 1 F Elbiscan 500 weed seed removal trial ...... 32,410 Organisation • MAR 1 F Microwave dehydration of vine fruits and tree UA University of Adelaide fruits, including prunes ...... 3,000 JEA Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture Product Development/Marketing RMIT Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology • OAF 31 F Development and evaluation of production MCF Mildura Co-operative Fruit Co. Ltd. techniques for existing and/or new varieties to TSI Tech Search Inc. promote market development within the D.V.F. MAR Microwave Application Research Centre Industry ...... 17,420 Information Transfer Approved Research and Development Program • DAV 32F Improved communications of DFRC research 1987-88 results to growers using video ...... 13,868 • DAV 33F Preparation of a technical manual and Project Allocation integrated extension packages on grape pest Number Project Title ,. ($) and disease management ...... 11,620 DRIED VINE FRUITS TOTAL PROGAM ...... • ...... 259,315 Vine Improvement DAW 11 F Dried fruits clonal selection trial ...... 800 CS 16F Assessment of new seedless drying varieties DRIED TREE FRUITS developed by hybridisation or held in the Tree Improvement CSIRO germplams collection ...... 10,000 • DAS 1 7F Clonal selection of apricots for drying 5,850 • DAV 2 7F Evaluation of rootstocks for Carina grapevines 9,716 • DAS 18F Development of improved apricot varieties . . . 14,700 •cs 17F Integration of alternative drying varieties with Harvest/Post-Harvest efficient low input and highly productive DAS 1 SF Discolouration in dried apricots ...... 14,910 management systems ...... 17,084 • DAS 19F Methods of preserving dried tree fruits ..... 23,698 Vine Management • TSI 1 F Development and demonstration of an apricot DCV 2F Breeding release and evaluation of Microthrix fruit handling system ...... 10,000 inconspicuella and specifity testing of TOTAL PROGRAM ...... • ...... 69,158 Rhodometra sacrania for biological control of Emex spp...... 10,355 DAS 1 4F Management and rehabilitation of soils in irrigated vineyards ...... 9,200 PRUNES DAV 21 F Improved irrigation and soils management Tree Management practices for grapevines in Sunraysia ...... 10,110 • DAN 1 F Prune Rust - implementation of a disease • DAV 34F Productivity and irrigation systems for Sultana management system ...... 12,000 vines in Sunraysia ...... 6 ,190 TOTAL PROGRAM ...... • • ...... 12,000 •DAN 2F Irrigation requirements of high yielding Sultana grapevines for quality fruit production ...... 15,005 ·oAV 35F Development of a mechanised system of dried Sultana production ...... 7,445 GENERAL •DAV 23F Applied engineering developments for Information Transfer production of high quality trellis dried Sultanas 15,934 JEA 1 F Annual contribution towards publishing costs of •cs 17F Integration of alternative drying varieties with the Australian Journal of Experimental efficient low input and highly productive Agriculture ...... • . 250 management systems ...... 17,084 • Denotes new projects. PLEASE: No Accidents during HtwtJSt '88 Don't tske risks. Keep children properly SlfHJ!Vised. February, 1988-9 GROWERS' CONCILIATION AND LABOUR LEAGUE DRIED FRUITS ETC. INDUSTRY AWARD HARVEST SEASON 1988 (FROM 5·2·1988) OFFICIAL WAGE RATES BLOCK EMPLOYEES (including pickers) per week: P IECEWORK PICKING 1 0-February, 1988 DRIED FRUITS NEWS TAX INSTALMENT DEDUCTIONS Pay m ent fur L ea vc 'Salary or wages' as defined under section 221A of the Income Tax Assessment I. At the ordinary weekly rate of pay at the time leave is taken or In New South Wales - The Under-Secretary, 1. Employment before 26 :\ovember. 1~33 . is not taken into account. Department of Labour & Industry. 2. Employment is regarded as continuous despite any interruption due to annual or G.P.O. Box 21, long service leave. d ismissal if re-employed within two months, standing down, SYDNEY, N.S.W., 2000. illness of not more than 14 days in a ny year. or any other absence by leave of the Details of the legisla tion and copies of the prescribed forms are available from c mployt'r or on act·ount of injury a r ising out of his employment. district packing houses. DRIED FRUITS NEWS February, 1 988- 11 Compaction of Dried Vine Fruit -A Sticky Problem! Robert Hayes and Caroline Tarr Sunraysia Horticultural Centre A new two year research project to examine the problems associated with stickiness and compaction in processed dried vine fruit (dvf) is being undertaken at the Sunraysia Horticultural Centre, lrymple. The project aims to reduce the effects of stickiness and compaction in cartons of processed sultanas, and is being jointly fund· ed by the Commonwealth Government and the Dried Fruits Industry. The Australian Dried Vine Fruits (dvf) Industry relies heavily on exports to maintain its viability. As an example, in 1985 approximately 53,000 tonnes of dvf was exported with sales proceeds of about $81 million. The bulk of these exports (93%) consisted of sultanas. About 95% of the sultana exports are in 15 kg bulk cartons and supplied to the industrial market • and re-packers for the retail market. Much of the fruit which has been in cartons for periods •.. exceeding two months, forms a solid block when removed from the carton. Before the sultanas can be used they must be broken up, this is often done manually at additional expense to the manufacturer and consequently, the consumer. A good sample of fruit when tipped from a carton, many others The Australian industry has always maintained don't break up at all. a competitive marketing edge by building and Further work will also be carried out to deter oil efficiency, reduced fruit weight in cartons, maintaining a reputation as supplier of high mine a method for measuring the stickiness of and toughening of berry skins during storage in quality dvf. trial samples of 15 kg cartons. Ideally, this test bulk bins. To further build on this reputation, Caroline could be used after processing to determine This project aims to produce more free-run Tarr, a scientific officer, has commenced a two which fruit has potential to become clumpy or ning bulk processed sultanas by reducing year research program at the Sunraysia Horti sticky so that it could be sold as early as pos stickiness and compaction during all stages of cultural Centre, into stickiness and compaction sible. There may also be some potential for alter dvf production. Even If this can only be partly of sultanas. Caroline has had previous ex ing processing equipment settings according to achieved, it will give the Australian industry con perience as a quality control officer with Aus results obtained from this test. siderable advantage in a market place which is tralian Dried Fruits Sales, and as such, has a Investigations will also be carried out into the increasingly demanding the highest quality good knowledge of the problems associated relationship between skin damage and dressing possible. with clumping-type fruit. The work is being jointly funded by a grant from the Innovative Agricultural Marketing Pro gram and the Australian Dried Fruits Corpora tion. One of the major problems associated with the research is to define the parameters which cause or have a large effect on stickiness. This is necessary so that work can be directed at those areas which have the greatest effect. Generally stickiness is caused by the pre sence of sugar on the berry surface after pack ing, but its effect can be modified by other para meters as well. For instance, damage to the berry skin plays a large part in stickiness and is directly related to surface sugar. Other factors which affect stickiness include fruit moisture content, temperature during processing, skin toughness, amount of dressing oil and pressure of fruit in the carton. Having d~ •• ned the major areas causing stickiness, a survey of packing plants will be undertaken to identify the major processing areas which contribute to stickiness. It is widely accepted that coning causes significant damage to berries and would have a large influence on later stickiness. However, initial tests have revealed that the recleaners also cause signi ficant damage to berries, as does a lack of dressing oil. So it can be seen that berry damage and sticko:-~ess will be a function of many variables and the surveys have been designed to identify these variables. 12-February, 1988 Drying of Carina Grapes John Whiting and Barry Morey Sunraysia Horticultural Centre, lrymple Department of Agriculture and Rural Affairs Carina is a new hybrid variety, released by the CSIRO, Merbein, which produces a currant-like product (Antcliff, 1975). The fruit of Carina has the main advantage of being much more resis· tant to rain damage compared to Zante Currant. 100 However, the fruit ripens later in the season (late February-early March) and tends to have larger berries than the traditional variety Zante Currant. Consequently there have been problems getting 90 the fruit to dry in a reasonable time before drying conditions deteriorate at the end of each season . To reduce the drying time some growers have sprayed the fruit with an oil-emulsion spray, as is done with Sultana grapes. to speed up the dry· ing rate. Whilst this practice is effective in speeding up the drying rate, the quality of dried Carina is reduced. Also. sprayed fruit has led to problems in the subsequent storing and processing of Carina. At the Sunraysia Horticultural Centre, lrymple, .Q a preliminary comparison of methods of dry· .-: ing Carina was conducted during the 1985·86 .~ season. The methods evaluated were (a) rack ...... drying without oil-emulsion spray, (b) rack drying 0 with half strength oil-emulsion spray (1 .2% potash + 0. 75% oil). (c) rack drying with full strength oil-emulsion spray (2.4% potash - 1.5% oil) and (d) dried in full sun on plastic sheeting. The drying rate of Carina fruit, expressed as a percent loss of weight, differed greatly between treatments (Fig. 1 ). Quickest drying was achiev· ed with full strength oil-emulsion spray leading to a desirable moisture content (about 14% moisture) in about 1 0 days. Half strength oil· emulsion was initially the next quickest to dry and would have reached a desirable moisture content by about day 14. The fruit dried in full sun on plastic sheeting without oil-emulsion was initially slow to dry but by day 1 2 would have reached a desirable moisture content. The un· treated fruit on the rack dried the slowest, not 0 3 6 9 12 15 reaching a desirable moisture content until about day 17. Drying tim e days Samples of the dried fruit were graded by fruit inspectors. Rack dried fruit without oil emulsion plastic sheeting gave very sticky fruit. Dried fruit Figure 1 . Drying rate of Carina fruit with four was graded as 4 Crown, whilst samples from the treated with dressing oil was less sticky than the drying methods: ( • ) Rack drying without oil· other three treatments were graded as 3 Crown. fruit not so treated. emulsion, (• ) Rack drying with Y. strength oil· The fruit dried in full sun on plastic sheeting Fruit processed at the packing sheds has emulsion, ( ..,. ) Rack drying with full strength oil· whilst retaining its bloom was unattractive in ap created some problems. Packing shed emulsion and (.,.) Drying in full sun on plastic pearance with shrivelled berries (not the pre· managers have claimed that Carina fruit treated sheeting without oil-emulsion. Vertical bars in· ferred wrinkled berry) and had a 'cooked' with oil-emulsion has clogged up processing dicate standard errors of the means. flavour. The lower crown grades achieved with l ines and become sticky during storage. (use minimal levels of gibberellic acid with the fruit treated with oil emulsion was due to the Because of the need to promote the produc· setting spray. i.e. no more than 2 mg/ 1 ) . Besides lack of bloom. Samples of oil-emulsion treated lion of high quality currant products it is recom enhancing maturity other methods of increasing and non-treated Carina fruit from a grower were mended that growers do not spray their the drying rate of fruit should be adopted, i.e. do also graded the same (3 Crown and 4 Crown Carina grapes (or Zante Currants) with oil not lay fruit on the rack too thickly, use a rack ex· respectively) . emulsion in order to enhance the drying posed to maximum winds and use deyhdration to Small samples of fruit were processed using rates. (Note that any oil used on grapes can be finish off the fruit. the small scale processing plant at the CSIRO, detected quite simply in the packing shed). Merbein (Grncarevic et al. , 1976). All fruit was Rather growers are urged to use other means of References: quite dry and no problems were encountered in improving fruit drying rates. The main way would Antcliff. A. J . Four new grape varieties releas· the processing line. Half the fruit was treated with be to promote earlier maturity of the fruit to make ed for testing. J . Aust. lnst. Agric. Sci. 41: a dressing oil and all samples were subsequently use of better drying conditions earlier in the 262·4. 1975. stored. Alter 9 months storage, for the samples season. This could be achieved by selecting Grncarevic, M .. I. D. Simmons and W. J. not treated with dressing oil, the fruit that had sites that bring on earlier maturity, and by using Lewis. " Processing of dried grapes - an ex· been sprayed with oil-emulsion were softer and management practices to enhance maturity e.g. perimental plant". Food Technology in Australia. in some cases stickier than fruit without the oil· early pruning, restricting yield and foliage growth 28: 138·142. 1976. emulsion treatment. Drying the fruit in full sun on (on vigorous vines), and restricting berry size (23.31). DRIED FRUITS NEWS February, 1988-13 By H. Weste, Trellis Drying of Sultanas Horticultural Adviser. Harvesting The crop dries on the vine in two or three weeks, depending on weather conditions. It can be harvested in various ways; either by hand, with or without the aid of specialised picking-aid equipment, or by mechanical harvester. Fruit is easier to harvest when the stems are brittle and dry. Later in the season dewy morn ings moisten fruit and stems, so harvesting is best left until the afternoon . Hand-harvesting takes about 50 man-hours per hectare. Mechanical harvesters are capable of doing 0.4-08 ha per hour. Be sure to contact . mechanical harvesting contractors early to 111 Ut11 ..... I.U·tll finalise details on harvesting. Removal of Trash Excessive levels of leaf and stem contamina· lion will incur a penalty on receival at packing sheds. To avoid this penalty growers should en· Trellis drying is now a practical and econo Some growers have sprayed vines before sure that the fruit is clean before delivery. Most cane-cutting and achieved excellent wetting and mically sound system of harvest1ng. It is an inte mechanical harvesters are equipped with effec· grated system and growers will have to consider drying. Earlier experience has favoured spraying live winnowing fans for removal of trash . all its components to obtain best results. one or two days after cane-cutting, thus allowing the leaves time to wilt. Do not spray later than Post-Harvest Drying and Handling Pre-Season Preparation two days alter cane-cutting as exposed berries In most seasons it is likely that only a small elt 1s vital that all vines have moisture available can become sun-scorched and bunches proportion of the crop will dry sufficiently on the throughout the harvest period for normal growth become limp, preventing thorough penetration trellis to be ready for immediate shed delivery. and development. Late-harvested grapes may o f the spray. This means that some form of " finishing off" will need additional water. Spraying the Crop be needed. There are two alternatives; artificial dehydration or ground drying. • After the final irrigation before harvest be For maximum speed of drying it is important sure to suppress weed growth under the vine. that all berri t f81 \(,erA"'"' &r~t-' /PfJf J __...)jJ,; / DRIED FRUITS NEWS February, 1988-15 Preparation of Drying Emulsions by Reg Johns DARA Careful preparation of drying emulsions is essential to ensure that fruit dries as rapidly as possible whether being dried on the rack or on the vine. Most district growers were concerned about slow drying of fruit during the 1987 harvest season. and in many cases it was assumed that slow drying resulted from inferior drying oils. At the beginning of the 1987 harvest. some batches of a drying oil were defective and were recalled by the manufacturer. however all subse quent drying emulsions if correctly prepared. did function effectively. Slow drying in 1987 resulted from: • Effect of climatic conditions during the grow ing season on the vines. particularly sultanas. • Climatic conditions during harvest con tributed to slow drying. and in some cases: • Poor preparation of drying emulsions. Preparing Drying Emulsions Whether bulk dipping, rack spraying or trellis drying. each method is used to reduce moisture content of the fruit back to 16% to 18%. To achieve this. three separate mixtures are used. and the choice depends on the type of fruit and method preferred by individual growers. An additional process of "finish drying" is essen tial to provide a finished product which is accep table to packing houses without penalty. Dipping Mixtures Mixture A (standard cold dip) When preparing chosen mixtures it is necessary to thoroughly dissolve carbonate of potash in Carbonate of potash 2.4 kg water before adding the drying oil. Solutions should be mixed thoroughly, and preferably some Dipping oil 1 .51itres hours before use. Water 100 litres Mixture B (2/3 standard cold dip) Method 2 • Apply a fine " touch-up" spray with a 2-jet Carbonate of potash 1.7 kg • Apply a first spray of "Mixture A" in fine wand on any part of the rack wetted by rain. Dipping oil 1.0 litre weather conditions, as soon as possible after •Apply 100 litres of "Mixture C" per 1000 Water 100 litres loading the rack. buckets of fruit. Apply in fine weather. Mixture C (1/3 standard cold dip) • Four days later apply a fine "touch-up" Carbonate of potash 0 .8 kg spray, with a 2-jet wand. Apply 100 litres of Hints on Trellis Drying Dipping oil 0.5 litre "Mixture C" per 1 000 buckets of fruit. Water 1 00 litres • See trellis drying as a total system. Mix solutions thoroughly and preferably some • Because the trellis forms the "rack", special Hints on Bulk Dipping trellis and vine preparation are desirable for hours before use. Grit can be a problem in bulk-dipped fruit. quality dried fruit production. •Avoid cultivation after the last pre-harvest • Prepare rows and headlands for mechanical Hints on Rack Sprayi.ig irrigation. harvesting. •Prefer weedicides to under-vine cultivation. • Do not delay a start to cutting and spraying • Maintain tight tier wires at all times. •Instruct pickers to lift rather than drag •spread fruit evenly and only one bunch thick beyond the end of February. buckets. • Harvest dried fruit from the vines as soon as to allow good wetting and drying. •Avoid squashing fruit when stacking • Fruit must be free of leaves for most effec it is ready. This maintains qualty, minimises buckets. costs and allows post-harvest irrigation. tive wetting. • Rock dip frame once in the tank to remove e spray with a fork-shaped "Gaulke type" air bubbles from the fruit. wand. • Spread fruit evenly to get even drying. • Use a pump pressure of about 1400 kPa but Method 1 • Maintain the level of the dip by adding from a avoid misting. stock of "Mixture A" .. • Pick crown bunches by hand and treat as • Use at least 450 litres to every 1 000 •rest the dip every morning with a suitable fresh hand-harvested fruit. buckets of grapes. indicator paper that can be read accurately in the • Apply a thorough spray of "Mixture B" com • Be certain that overlap in the centre is suffi range pH 8 to 11 . If the pH is less than 9.5, add pletely wetting all berries. (This may take up to cient to thoroughly wet the fruit. caustic potash until the pH is up to 10. 5600 litres per ha). •Use a sediment tray or spade to remove • Spray before or after cane-cutting but within Method 1 sediment and fruit from the dip each night and 48 hours of this operation. eApply a first spray of " Mixture B" in fine morning. weather as soon as possible after loading the Method 2 rack. Method • 11 a two-spray system is needed, follow the • Four days later apply a second spray using • Dip the fruit in a dip tank of "Mixture A" for above method, and four days later repeat spray, "Mixture C". from 1 to 3 minutes. using "Mixture C". 16-February. 1 988 DRIED FRUITS NEWS FROM SUMMER PLUMS The Prune Industry is launching its "Purely The marketing Agent Country Foods Pty. Ltd. It is appropriate timing for the Prune Industry to Prunes- Fresh from Australian Plums" advertis has planned in-store demonstrations and promo undertake a strong promotion of the Australian ing campaign in mid February 1988. tions to coincide with the advertising to maximise Prune given the record commercial prune pack The advertising campaign emphasizes the the effect of the campaign. forecast for the Northern Hemisphere of identification of prunes with fresh plums. 244,000 tons, 77 percent above the 1986/87 The campaign also stresses the nutritional The campaign is to be financed by a special volume. Most of the increase is attributed to the attributes of prunes and the leading brands to levy of $46.00 per tonne dry weight on Season U.S.A. doubling its production to 195,000 tons look for. 1986 fruit, and $60.00 per tonne on Season due to a heavy fruit set and excellent drying The advertisements will be presented to con 1987 fruit. conditions. sumers via an extensive print media campaign. Fifty thousand "Purely Prunes" recipe brochures are to be distributed and these will be supported by advertisements in popular magazines such as Woman's Day, New Idea, Here's what you need: Family Circle and Better Homes & Gardens. The advertisements have a high education quantity of marzipan content, particularly emphasizing the relevant favourite liqueur information in regard to prunes and invite pecan nuts or almonds readers to write in for the glossy recipe Australian pitted Prunes. brochure. white or dark chocolate. for The programme is aimed at stimulating the coating usage of prunes prior to the winter baking season and will be spread over a two month Here's what you do: period. lake a quantity of marzipan. The proposal was presented by the Director of the A.D.F.A. Food Advisory Services Depart Mix through your favourite ment, Miss Elaine Chambers, to the Prunes In liqueur and coarsely chopped dustry Conference and later in its developed for nuts. Fill Prune cavities and mat to the A.D.F.A. Prunes Committee. The gently press to close. Dip the Committee congratulated Miss Chambers for the Prunes into melted chocolate. excellent presentation and market research con Set on greaseproof paper to dry. ducted by the Food Advisory Services Depart Decorate with white or dark ment. chocolate leaves. DRIED FRUITS NEWS February, 1983· - 17 AUST.RALIA' S SUMMER PLUMS Here's what you need: 185 g butter. softened 4 tablespoons castor sugar 2 egg yolks I 1-1 cups plain flour. sifted I 1-1 cups firmly packed brown sugar 25 0g unsalted butter !4 cup honey 500g pecan nut pieces !4 cup thickened cream I 1-1 cups Australian Prunes. stones removed and chopped ~~te~ak Here's what you do: Here's what you need: / 125 g butter. softened Cream together 18 5 g butter and sugar. I cup soft brown sugar Add egg yolks. flour and mix thoroughly, 2 eggs Spread evenly into greased and lined 2 cups self raising flour 25cm x 30cm lamington pan. Bake in I teaspoon ground cinnamon moderate oven 10 minutes. I teaspoon ground nutmeg I teaspoon ground allspice Combine sugar. unsalted butter and I cup milk honey Stir over low heat until butter 2 cups Australian Prunes. melts and sugar dissolves. Increase heat. stones removed and chopped bring to boil. boiling I minute. Fold in remaining ingredients. combining well. Here's what you do: Return to boil. Immediately Cream butter and sugar until light and spread mixture over fl uffy. Add eggs and beat well. Sift flour pastry. Bake in with spices and fold into creamed moderate oven mixture. alternately with milk. Lastly, fold 15 minutes. Reduce in the Prunes. temperature to Spoon into greased and lined 20cm cake moderately slow. pan. Bake in moderate oven for Bake further approximately 70 minutes or until 15 minutes. Cool cooked when tested. Allow to cool before turning slightly in the pan before turning out. out to slice in If desired. decorate with sifted icing diamond shapes. sugar. 18-February, 1 988 DRIED FRUITS NEWS 26cm x 16cm x 4 em and pour in cream ~d:d~~~ cheese mixture. Bake in moderate oven for approximately 40-45 minutes or Here's what you need: until set. Remove from oven / 5 eggs and allow to cool completely I cup castor sugar before placing in 750g cream cheese. softened refrigerator. finely grated rind of I medium lemon Prior to serving. juice of Y2 medium lemon decorate with I cup Australian Prunes. stones removed the Prune and and chopped . Prune and Dried Apricot Apricot pieces. to pieces. decorate ~~~ Here's what you need: 4 pears. peeled and cut into pieces I small green capsicum. cut into strips Here's what you do: I small red capsicum. cut into strips Combine the above ingredients in a 1 medium onion. peeled and chopped large casserole dish or microwave Here's what you do: 1small red chilli. seeded proof bowl. Microwave uncovered. on Place eggs and sugar in food processor and chopped (optional) high for 20-25 minutes stirring every or blender for I minute. Add coarsely l4 cup soft brown sugar 10 minutes. until thickened. Spoon into chopped cream cheese gradually until Y1 cup cider vinegar sterilized jars. cover and store in mixture becomes smooth. Add lemon 2 tablespoons lemon or lime juice refrigerator. rind and juice. combining all ingredients I teaspoon ground ginger Delicious when served with hot or cold well. Lastly add Prunes and process for a Y2 teaspoon dry mustard meats or meatloaf. Prune Pear chutney further 5 seconds only Grease and base Y2 teaspoon salt will keep indefinitely Ideally store for line a slice pan approximately I Y2 cups Australian pitted Prunes I month before using. DRIED FRUITS NEWS February, 1988- 19 • VINE LEAF STORES VINELEAF GROUP Suppliers of VINELEAF GROUP Mobl @ Dipping Oil "ictana Rack and Trellis Spray Voullaires Emusoyle Oil, Ground Sheet and Rack Mesh, Hessian, Picking Knives, Potassium Carbonate. 4 When you start picking, pick a Vineleaf store for • ~.,. your harvest supplies. VINELEAF GROUP VINELEAF GROUP VINELEAF STORES IRYMPLE MERBEIN MERBEIN RED CLIFFS 15th Street, Commercial Street, Main Avenue, Laurel Avenue Irymple. 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